It really is the thought that counts, but a hand-picked, beautiful gift is even more fun when the wrapping conveys that sentiment, too. Plus, a tree surrounded by gifts serves as part of the giver’s home décor for much of December.

You don’t have to be a designer to top your gifts with the perfect bow, but it does take the right supplies, a little patience and some practice. Some expert advice is also helpful.

Marty Garrison, owner of Paisley & Paper, says her store becomes a hive of activity during the holiday season. Not only are in-store purchases eligible for gift wrapping, but handmade items or those purchased elsewhere can be wrapped as well.

“We have a lot of customers who bring in all of their Christmas gifts and have us wrap them,” Garrison says. “It’s fun for us.”

Garrison sells wrapping paper and a variety of ribbons.

“Especially at Christmas, we have wired ribbon, satin and raffia,” she says. “Wired ribbon and raffia are probably the easiest to do. We love to do really big bows. We think it looks better going out.”

After the bow is complete, Garrison says the decoration doesn’t have to end there. Tags in decorated envelopes, die cut stickers and more can be added to enhance the gift wrap’s theme.

“We have fabulous gift tags,” she says. “They are really big and they look great on the package.”

If you want to keep your wrapping on the environmentally friendly side, start with recycled paper.

“We find that you can wrap in a brown kraft paper and if you put a big bow and a big gift tag, you have a beautiful package,” Garrison says.

Tie one on like an expert

Start with the right supplies.

“With wired ribbon, you can do a bow with a square knot,” Garrison says. “With the wire, you can fluff it up. With raffia, you can take three pieces together and tie it around your package.”

Take about one-half yard of ribbon (increase or decrease as needed, based on the size of the gift box), wrap it around the package and tie it in a knot. Make sure the ends are long enough that they hang off the sides of the package.

Gather about 1½ yards of satin ribbon or raffia in a figure eight. Place it on top of the ribbon that has been tied on the package. Using the loose ends from the first piece of ribbon, tie a knot around the figure eight and pinch it in the middle. Fluff as desired.